AUSTIN - The No. 17 Abilene Christian University Wildcats split their second consecutive series at St. Edward's in a pair of one-run ballgames. ACU lost an early lead to the Hilltoppers, 6-5 in game one before coming back to win the rubber match of the series, 1-0.
Wildcat freshmen, Shelby Hall took another tough luck loss in the opener as she gave up seven hits and six runs over 6 1/3, but the final run was unearned as M. Bailey scored after an error extended the St. Mary's inning. Hall walked five and struck out two as she fell to 5-3 on the season.
ACU struck first when Nancy Sawyers homered to lead-off the second inning with her third long ball of the season. Shawna Barrow then singled driving in Jenny Kulp as she started a new hitting streak after ending a team high eight game streak against St. Mary's yesterday.
Sawyers added her third RBI of the night when she singled down the right field line scoring Barrow and Stephanie Tingle. The Hilltoppers would respond with a five spot in the bottom half of the inning giving St. Edward's a 5-4 lead. Two singles and a triple for St. Edward's gave them a five run-inning and a one run lead.
The Wildcats would tie the game in the sixth when Tingle connected with her third hit of the game scoring Genevie Ramirez. Also the Wildcats left Caitlin Nabors and Tingle as they stranded nine on the afternoon.
In the nightcap the Wildcats would get their second outstanding effort from Brittany Rexroat in two days. Rexroat went the distance scattering four hits over seven complete innings as she walked three and struck out three.
The lone run for ACU came when Brianna Fowlkes singled to left scoring Kulp who lead off the inning with a double off the center field wall. It proved enough for the Wildcats as Rexroat shut door picking up her third win of the season improving to 3-1.
Nabors and Tingle went a combined 7 for 12 leading ACU with an RBI and a run scored in two games. Sawyers' homer in the first game was also her third of the season and 10th RBI.
ACU will return to action on Thursday as they travel to Wichita Falls for a doubleheader with Midwestern State. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m.
